The Washington PostThe Washington Post

As Elon Musk expands his reach, Washington worries

By Mary Jordan

22 Oct 2022 · 10 min read

Editor's Note

Elon Musk's various business ventures and personal wealth allow him to exert influence in global affairs beyond that of some governments. Federal and state funds facilitated that dominance.

WASHINGTON - Between launching four astronauts and 54 satellites into orbit, unveiling an electric freight truck and closing in on taking over Twitter this month, Elon Musk made time to offer unsolicited peace plans for Taiwan and Ukraine, antagonizing those countries' leaders and irking Washington, too.

Musk, the richest man in the world, then irritated some Pentagon officials by announcing he didn't want to keep paying for his private satellite service in Ukraine, before later walking back the threat.

Sign in to informed

  • Curated articles from premium publishers, ad-free
  • Concise Daily Briefs with quick-read summaries
  • Read, listen, save for later, or enjoy offline
  • Enjoy personalized content
Or

LoginForm.agreeToTerms